Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am delighted to speak today about the Geraldton City Speedway. The Geraldton City Speedway was established in 1964 by a group of Geraldton revheads, originally racing on a block of land they leased north of the Geraldton airport. The speedway remained there for two years, until the property owner leased out the land for cropping—when all of the community-minded members got together and contributed to purchase the eight-hectare block in Moonyoonooka, where the speedway remains today. Led by president Mike Doble and his dedicated team—which includes his wife Kim, who is the secretary of the club—the speedway has grown significantly over the last few years, attracting more spectators, members and sponsors. So much so that I am very proud to say that I am a sponsor of the Junior Sedans class this season, supporting young Mid West motoring enthusiasts with their passion.

Geraldton speedway's last meeting was a roaring success with over 2,000 people watching the largest field of sprint cars ever seen in Geraldton, with 29 drivers putting their pedal to the metal. The meeting was so successful that it attracted international names, including world speedway grand prix champion, Tai Woffinden, who competed in his first competitive sprintcar meeting, as well as the four-time WA Open Sprintcar Champion. This is yet another example of the great quality events organised in Durack, attracting major stars to the Mid West. That is what I call innovation by a great grassroots Durack organisation. Geraldton speedway hosts a number of state titles from junior divisions to sprintcars, with the V8 Dirt Modified State Titles up for grabs on 27 February. It is expected that this will attract a number of interstate drivers, and the current national titleholder, which is a fantastic boon for this community-based organisation.

Before Christmas, the speedway held a round in tribute of a member who had lost his battle with depression, raising a fantastic $2,600 toward men's mental health projects in the Mid West. Supported by hardworking mental health worker Glen Fleeton, the speedway teamed up with Mr Fleeton a couple of days before Christmas to hold a mental health stall on Marine Terrace in Geraldton providing people with information about who to talk to and where to go to get help to discuss men's mental health issues. I commend the work of Mr Fleeton and the speedway to the House. It is a fantastic community organisation that is supporting more than just people driving cars fast.

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